BFF Report Episode 28: Heroes of Newerth vs League of Legends

Is anyone shocked that developers are trying to cash in on the massive success of the Warcraft 3 mod/map, DotA? I suppose there is that sweet spot in time where you can offer a game that is pretty much a straight copy with updated graphics, a dash of new features, a pinch of support, and still be accepted as something new and refreshing (I'm looking at you, BeatHazard).

In this episode of the BFF Report, I got to checkout the two newest heavy hitter entries into the MOBA genre, League of Legends (F2P) and Heroes of Newerth ($30 retail). Is either one worthy of being crowned the unofficial successor of DotA? Are you gonna pass and wait for the SC2 mod? Bloodline Champions? Do you like cookies?

评论来自 Queggy

评论来自 Skaarjonic

LoL is nice and all, but (at least to me) HoN offers better gameplay and graphics.

评论来自 Ahlto

on 2010-05-27T15:07:26-05:00

Is this supposed to be funny? It's the worst report on anything I've ever seen. I doen't even paint a realistic picture of any of the two games.

评论来自 skuul303

on 2010-05-27T15:09:38-05:00

Is this supposed to be funny? It's the worst report on anything I've ever seen. I doen't even paint a realistic picture of any of the two games.

What, you want charts and numbers to compare them -.-? I believe the episode was meant to be entertaining while still comparing the two games somewhat. I was entertained, you weren't.

AaaaanywaysHoN seems like the better game to me, LoL seems a bit cluttered with the whole outside summoner thingie

评论来自 alayton

on 2010-05-27T15:10:14-05:00

For those that want to play HoN, I'd suggest spending some time at HoN DB. I run it, and I've tried to make it as helpful for new players as possible.

The entire Articles section is some good reading, and should acclimate you to the general concepts of the game pretty well. After that, there's hero guides to give you an idea of what you should be buying/doing each game.

评论来自 EpicDragon

on 2010-05-27T15:18:25-05:00

I'm on the LoL side^^ I know HoN got a lot of players just because they simply copied DotA, while LoL is a refreshing game in the same genre. I also love the summoner system which allows progression and stuff. Also, I have to agree that Hon's site and client seems better, but I'm pretty sure LoL is remaking their client for the start of season 1 (when the real competition begins). As for the communities, none of them are really good, but I think HoN's is worse. DotA had a really bad community and well...

Edit: Also, I think LoL is superior when it comes to balancing there are only a handful of champions that are "stronger" than some others, and only one or two that can be considered OP. From what I have heard some HoN champs have 2-3 stunning abilities which is kinda wierd... Also, one of the best things about LoL is Ability Power, this makes mages more viable in late game and not OP midgame.

评论来自 Queggy

on 2010-05-27T15:20:21-05:00

For those that want to play HoN, I'd suggest spending some time at HoN DB. I run it, and I've tried to make it as helpful for new players as possible.

The entire Articles section is some good reading, and should acclimate you to the general concepts of the game pretty well. After that, there's hero guides to give you an idea of what you should be buying/doing each game.

Lol. I went to your website and there was a LoL advertisement running. :P

IMO, HoN just seems like it's more of the serious gamer crowd. Like, they HAVE TO WIN or else they can't have fun. I mean, sure I've met guys like that in LoL, but most of 'em just seem like they're there to have fun.

And I think you're placing too much of an emphasis on RP, Fony. RP is merely for cosmetic uses. Anything and everything that affects gameplay can be bought with IP, which you earn from the games. RP is only for buying skins and buying champs and stuff faster. /shrug

评论来自 fony

on 2010-05-27T15:23:00-05:00

RP is also used to purchase 200% IP/XP gain pots as well.. which is why I feel it's kind of a gamey way of getting around not offering pay2win items.

评论来自 EpicDragon

on 2010-05-27T15:26:34-05:00

RP is also used to purchase 200% IP/XP gain pots as well.. which makes is why I feel it's still kind of a gamey way of getting around not offering pay2win items.

But they don't really change how the game is played, with the possible exception of faster champ/rune farming. Also, great reports ^^ why was this so late? I have been waiting since like saturday.

评论来自 Queggy

on 2010-05-27T15:26:56-05:00

RP is also used to purchase 200% IP/XP gain pots as well.. which is why I feel it's kind of a gamey way of getting around not offering pay2win items.

You can get 200% IP boosts by getting friends to join via their Friend Invitation thingy.

And anyways, an IP boost and XP boost doesn't really affect gameplay. With enough patience and enough games played, you'll have your IP and XP. It just means you get it faster. Not that I'm endorsing it or anything, I'm just saying . . .

评论来自 Ninjazombie

on 2010-05-27T15:35:20-05:00

Toasty!

评论来自 fony

on 2010-05-27T15:41:36-05:00

why was this so late? I have been waiting since like saturday.

VEGAS WOO

评论来自 Cambin

on 2010-05-27T15:54:00-05:00

Both games are soooo much more streamlined than DotA and a lot more 'newbie' friendly (for learning). With LoL being Free 2 Play it trumphs HoN in my book. You can earn points to 'buy' other champions if you desire or buy the bundle(s) to unlock the majority. The 10 free champions they release each week are never bad so it's not like you need to buy the bundles. Save up those IP points and get the champs you want! I also think the leveling system within LoL is a great way to progress.

I played some HoN in the earlier beta phases and it isn't a bad DotA clone by any means, but I think it isn't as good as League of Legends in the end. It looks pretty, but it's got way too much crap going on (menus for everything, excessive details on items, etc..).

As for Fony's question on the 'look'. I would agree, LoL is more "cartoony" but I don't think it's more light/dark. HoN has some pretty sweet graphics, but those don't create better gameplay. I felt that HoN was trying too hard to be cool, and it felt cheesy. Don't get me wrong, there are some pretty cheesy things within LoL as well, but I think Riot was aiming for that most of the time. Emo vs. Cartoony, meh I don't really get it either.

评论来自 cheezedood21

on 2010-05-27T16:01:49-05:00

WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH.

评论来自 EvilChookie

on 2010-05-27T16:37:33-05:00

Firstly, you didn't mention the control schemes of either game. As someone who has played a lot of DotA and is actively playing LoL, I found LoL's control scheme to be superb. You're always in control of your character, meaning that managing your character is a lot simpler - the spell system is well designed for this style of game - the range of each ability is clearly spelt out, meaning if you're paying attention you can land spells at the right time, as opposed to just spamming and hoping to god you're in range. How does control stack up in HoN vs LoL vs War3/DotA?

Secondly, you pointed out the two subscription models. Yes, HoN is cheaper because it doesn't have a subscription or use micro transactions (like LoL does) but how will the two compare in terms of longevity?

If I were to buy HoN, I get a whole mess of characters - some of which I am bound not to like. How often are new characters introduced? How do I get these characters - do I pay for them, or are they free? The same goes for maps and other game modes - how often are they introduced, and how do I get them? How does the game prevent itself from going stale, while at the same time avoiding becoming a money sink?

I personally like the Microtransaction portion of LoL, because I can control my spending - and I feel that spending 10-15 bucks on heroes that I enjoy playing is worth more to me than spending 30 on several heroes that I might dislike. It also helps to provide a more continuous stream of income to the company, which should in turn allow them to produce more content for their game. I guess what would have been a really good comparison to make would be how HoN's single payment works compared and constrasted with that of LoL. You sort of touched on it when talking about the store, but I feel it's a topic you could get into a lot more depth on.

Thirdly, how does combat feel overall in the two games? In DotA, items are heavily important - you can't win without the right ones for your character. In LoL, that doesn't seem to be as much of the case. LoL feels more brutal, and much faster paced than DotA - I've seen games end before characters hit level 10.

A good review, but there's plenty of topics that I feel could be covered a bit more than the "it looks cartoony" card - which I feel that any somewhat mature person should be able to put aside.

评论来自 fony

on 2010-05-27T17:29:51-05:00

Since you put so much into your post I'll try and answer as many questions as I can..

Firstly, you didn't mention the control schemes of either game. As someone who has played a lot of DotA and is actively playing LoL, I found LoL's control scheme to be superb. You're always in control of your character, meaning that managing your character is a lot simpler - the spell system is well designed for this style of game - the range of each ability is clearly spelt out, meaning if you're paying attention you can land spells at the right time, as opposed to just spamming and hoping to god you're in range. How does control stack up in HoN vs LoL vs War3/DotA?

Having played very little DotA and War3, I wanted to give a straight up comparison between the two vs comparing everything to DotA. The reason being is that majority of DotA players and media outlets have already given HoN the title of being the successor.. but I don't feel it should be just that easy, you know? It should be more like, what's the best addition to the genre that's currently available.

An example would be comparing every new MMO to WoW, we all do it, but it's not fair and doesn't benefit the growth of the community and genre.

Secondly, you pointed out the two subscription models. Yes, HoN is cheaper because it doesn't have a subscription or use micro transactions (like LoL does) but how will the two compare in terms of longevity?

Most MMO gamers should be able to answer this, it's not like micro-transactions are new. That would be like me breaking down quick time events in an action game. Also, didnt I point out some of the bundles available in the store? I had to cut out 2 minutes worth of stuff due to time restraints unfortunately.. and this was not something I could've stretched over two episodes. :\\

If I were to buy HoN, I get a whole mess of characters - some of which I am bound not to like. How often are new characters introduced? How do I get these characters - do I pay for them, or are they free? The same goes for maps and other game modes - how often are they introduced, and how do I get them? How does the game prevent itself from going stale, while at the same time avoiding becoming a money sink?

Both games state "stuff coming soon!" for pretty much all of the above.

I personally like the Microtransaction portion of LoL, because I can control my spending - and I feel that spending 10-15 bucks on heroes that I enjoy playing is worth more to me than spending 30 on several heroes that I might dislike. It also helps to provide a more continuous stream of income to the company, which should in turn allow them to produce more content for their game. I guess what would have been a really good comparison to make would be how HoN's single payment works compared and constrasted with that of LoL. You sort of touched on it when talking about the store, but I feel it's a topic you could get into a lot more depth on.

See subscription models answer

Thirdly, how does combat feel overall in the two games? In DotA, items are heavily important - you can't win without the right ones for your character. In LoL, that doesn't seem to be as much of the case. LoL feels more brutal, and much faster paced than DotA - I've seen games end before characters hit level 10.

See first answer

A good review, but there's plenty of topics that I feel could be covered a bit more than the "it looks cartoony" card - which I feel that any somewhat mature person should be able to put aside.

Maturity is for the weak.. and mature.

评论来自 Elizeya

on 2010-05-27T17:38:31-05:00

I prefer League of Legends for the following reasons.1. LoL has a nice new gameplay mechanic called 'brushes' which allow you to stealth and sneak around.2. LoL has free a free recall option. Which saves having to walk the entire way back, or spending unnecassary money.3. LoL uses a clearer item system.4. LoL has a more user-friendly lobby/interface5. LoL is free to play. The IP/XP boosts will never give you an edge, because there is a cap on both your level and the amount of runes you can use. In the end you'll be just as good as someone who didn't pay a dime.6. I like the meta-game (runes, talent trees) of LoL, it adds a lot of extra strategy/depth in my opinion.

Also in b4 HoN fan-rage - this is just my opinion, not fact.

评论来自 ozar99

on 2010-05-27T19:05:53-05:00

Iv played both games and i found Hon to be better because its more like Dota